This thesis will examine the velocity structure of Austfonna, laa large ice cap in the Svalbard
archipelago. The remoteness of its location had previously hindered detailed observation
by traditional methods, but indirect evidence suggested that it had the potential to be
dynamically interesting. A recently developed remote sensing technique, SAR
interferometry (inSAR), has allowed us to obtain the most detailed map of Austfonna's
topography to date, plus unprecendented synoptic measurements of its velocity field. A four
year time series of data acquired by the European Remote Sensing satellites ERS-1 and
ERS-2 has been used to delineate active and inactive areeas of the ice cap, hich suggest that
past ideas about Austfonna's thermal structure may need to be re-examined. It has also
revealed large temporal velocity variations in one of its major drainage basins. These are
difficult to classify because intermittent sampling has prevented us from determining their
temporal wavelength, and also because globally the database of observed glacier velocity
variations is so sparse that the range of possible variable flow scenarios is unknown. The
work here demonstrates the huge potential for inSAR in helping to resolve such issues, and
in providing an invaluable resource f r scientists monitoring the stability of the world's ice
fields.